Scrubbing/scouring-providing and soap/detergent-dispensing gloves

ABSTRACT

A multi-function glove, including a hand-receiving portion, scrubbing/scouring portions, and a soap/detergent-dispensing portion. The scrubbing/scouring portions are affixed on the hand-receiving portion. The soap/detergent-dispensing portion is replaceably affixed on the hand-receiving portion. The scrubbing/scouring portions selectively scrub/scour and the soap/detergent-dispensing portion selectively dispenses soap/detergent therefrom so as together allow the multi-function glove to be self-containing.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The instant non-provisional patent application claims priority from provisional patent application No. 60/726,281, filed on Oct. 13, 2005, entitled RUBBER GLOVES PROVIDED WITH SCRUBBING/SCOURING AREAS AND MEANS FOR DISPENSING SOAP/DETERGENT, and incorporated herein by reference thereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A. Field of the Invention

The embodiments of the present invention relate to gloves, and more particularly, the embodiments of the present invention relate to scrubbing/scouring-providing and soap/detergent-dispensing gloves.

B. Description of the Prior Art

Hand coverings, particularly gloves of rubber and plastics materials, are in widespread use today in a wide variety of tasks.

For example, surgical gloves are used to reduce the risk of infection during surgery and other procedures performed on living bodies. It is important in these applications that manual dexterity of the user not be impeded, and as a result, gloves of this type are of relatively thin construction.

Gloves have also been proposed to protect a user's hand from contact with chemicals, such as acids and caustic solutions. Gloves of this type are frequently used when carrying out work assignments, and thus, must be of fairly rugged construction in contrast to surgical gloves. It is important in these applications that the gloves restrict the user's manual dexterity as little as possible, although it is generally accepted that the range of motion will not be comparable with that possible with more delicate surgical gloves.

Gloves have also been proposed for more specialized uses.

Heretofore, waterproofed washing and scrubbing mitts have been used only to protect the user's hands from harsh detergents and other chemicals that are utilized in most cleaning operations. Typically, the user dons the wash mitts and then grasps a steel wool-like scouring pad to clean an intended item, such as a kitchen implement. This task can often prove cumbersome and daunting in that the scouring pad is difficult to retain within the user's hand due to the slippery, smooth quality of the rubber wash mitt.

Numerous other innovations for gloves have been provided in the prior art. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they each differ in structure, and/or operation, and/or purpose from the embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the embodiments of the present invention as heretofore described.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, an object of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide scrubbing/scouring-providing and soap/detergent-dispensing gloves that avoid the disadvantages of the prior art.

Briefly stated, another object of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a multi-function glove, including a hand-receiving portion, scrubbing/scouring portions, and a soap/detergent-dispensing portion. The scrubbing/scouring portions are affixed on the hand-receiving portion. The soap/detergent-dispensing portion is replaceably affixed on the hand-receiving portion. The scrubbing/scouring portions selectively scrub/scour and the soap/detergent-dispensing portion selectively dispenses soap/detergent therefrom so as together allow the multi-function glove to be self-containing.

The novel features which are considered characteristic of the embodiments of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. The embodiments of the present invention themselves, however, both as to their construction and their method of operation together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures of the drawing are briefly described as follows:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the scrubbing/scouring-providing and soap/detergent-dispensing gloves of the embodiments of the present invention in use; and

FIG. 2 is an enlarged diagrammatic prospective view of a scrubbing/scouring-providing and soap/detergent-dispensing glove of the embodiments of the present invention identified by ARROW 2 in FIG. 1.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWINGS

A. General.

-   10 scrubbing/scouring-providing and soap/detergent-dispensing gloves     of embodiments of present invention     B. Configuration. -   12 hand-receiving portion for receiving hand (not shown) of user     (not shown) -   14 scrubbing/scouring portions for selectively scrubbing/scouring     and disposing over pads (not shown) of digits (not shown) of hand     (not shown) of user (not shown) so as not to interfere with bending     of joints (not shown) of digits (not shown) of hand (not shown) of     user (not shown) -   16 soap/detergent-dispensing portion for selectively dispensing     soap/detergent therefrom -   18 digit-receiving portions of hand-receiving portion 12 for     receiving digits (not shown) of hand (not shown) of user (not shown) -   20 palm-engaging portion of hand-receiving portion 12 for engaging     palm (not shown) of hand (not shown) of user (not shown) -   22 inner-hand-facing surfaces of digit-receiving portions 18 of     hand-receiving portion 12 -   24 inner-hand-facing surface of palm-engaging portion 20 of     hand-receiving portion 12 -   26 pieces of hook portions of hook and loop fasteners of     scrubbing/scouring portions 14 -   28 spongy pocket of soap/detergent-dispensing portion 16 -   30 one side of spongy pocket 28 of soap/detergent-dispensing portion     16 -   32 piece of loop portions of hook and loop fasteners forming one     side 30 of spongy pocket 28 of soap/detergent-dispensing portion 16 -   34 other side of spongy pocket 28 of soap/detergent-dispensing     portion 16 -   36 another piece of hook portions of hook and loop fasteners forming     other side 34 of spongy pocket 28 of soap/detergent-dispensing     portion 16 -   38 still another piece of hook portions of hook and loop fasteners     of soap/detergent-dispensing portion 16

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A. General.

Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts, and particularly to FIG. 1, which is a diagrammatic perspective view of the scrubbing/scouring-providing and soap/detergent-dispensing gloves of the embodiments of the present invention in use, the scrubbing/scouring-providing and soap/detergent-dispensing gloves of the embodiments of the present invention are shown generally at 10.

B. The configuration.

The configuration of a typical one of the scrubbing/scouring-providing and soap/detergent-dispensing gloves 10 can best be seen in FIG. 2, which is an enlarged diagrammatic prospective view of a scrubbing/scouring-providing and soap/detergent-dispensing glove of the embodiments of the present invention identified by ARROW 2 in FIG. 1, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.

The scrubbing/scouring-providing and soap/detergent-dispensing glove 10 comprises a hand-receiving portion 12, scrubbing/scouring portions 14, and a soap/detergent-dispensing portion 16. The scrubbing/scouring portions 14 are affixed on the hand-receiving portion 12 and are for selectively scrubbing/scouring and the soap/detergent-dispensing portion 16 is replaceably affixed on the hand-receiving portion 12 and is for selectively dispensing soap/detergent therefrom so as together allow the scrubbing/scouring-providing and soap/detergent-dispensing glove 10 to be self-containing.

The hand-receiving portion 12 is for receiving a hand (not shown) of a user (not shown) and comprises digit-receiving portions 18 and a palm-engaging portion 20. The digit-receiving portions 18 of the hand-receiving portion 12 are for receiving the digits (not shown) of the hand (not shown) of the user (not shown), and have inner-hand-facing surfaces 22. The palm-engaging portion 20 of the hand-receiving portion 12 is for engaging the palm (not shown) of the hand (not shown) of the user (not shown), and has an inner-hand-facing surface 24.

The hand-receiving portion 12 is made of latex-free rubber.

The scrubbing/scouring portions 14 are oval-shaped for fitting into small openings, affixed on the inner-hand-facing surfaces 22 of the digit-receiving portions 18 of the hand-receiving portion 12, and are for disposing over the pads (not shown) of the digits (not shown) of the hand (not shown) of the user (not shown) so as not to interfere with bending of the joints (not shown) of the digits (not shown) of the hand (not shown) of the user (not shown).

The soap/detergent-dispensing portion 16 is replaceably affixed on the inner-hand-facing surface 24 of the palm-engaging portion 20 of the hand-receiving portion 12.

The scrubbing/scouring portions 14 are pieces of hook portions 26 of hook and loop fasteners affixed to the inner-hand-facing surfaces 22 of the digit-receiving portions 18 of the hand-receiving portion 12.

The soap/detergent-dispensing portion 16 is a spongy pocket 28 for selectively dispensing the soap/detergent and is formed on one side 30 thereof by a piece of loop portions 32 of the hook and loop fasteners and on the other side 34 thereof by another piece of hook portions 36 of the hook and loop fasteners that is perforated.

The spongy pocket 28 of the soap/detergent-dispensing portion 16 is replaceably affixed to the inner-hand-facing surface 24 of the palm-engaging portion 20 of the hand-receiving portion 12 by still another piece of hook portions 38 of the hook and loop fasteners that is affixed on the inner-hand-facing surface 24 of the palm-engaging portion 20 of the hand-receiving portion 12 and that selectively engage with the piece of loop portions 32 of the hook and loop fasteners of the one side 30 of the spongy pocket 28 of the soap/detergent-dispensing portion 16.

The still another piece of hook portions 38 of the hook and loop fasteners affixed on the inner-hand-facing surface 24 of the palm-engaging portion 20 of the hand-receiving portion 12 assists the scrubbing/scouring portions 14 when the spongy pocket 28 of the soap/detergent-dispensing portion 16 is removed from the inner-hand-facing surface 24 of the palm-engaging portion 20 of the hand-receiving portion 12, with the soap/detergent-dispensing portion 16 providing separate scrubbing/scouring.

The another piece of hook portions 36 of the hook and loop fasteners of the other side 34 of the spongy pocket 28 of the soap/detergent-dispensing portion 16 also assists the scrubbing/scouring portions 14 when the spongy pocket 28 of the soap/detergent-dispensing portion 16 is on the inner-hand-facing surface 24 of the palm-engaging portion 20 of the hand-receiving portion 12.

C. Conclusions.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.

While the embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described as embodied in scrubbing/scouring-providing and soap/detergent-dispensing gloves, however, they are not limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions, and changes in the forms and details of the embodiments of the present invention illustrated and their operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the embodiments of the present invention.

Without further analysis the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the embodiments of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that from the standpoint of prior art fairly constitute characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of the embodiments of the present invention. 

1. A multi-function glove, comprising: a) a hand-receiving portion; b) scrubbing/scouring portions; and c) a soap/detergent-dispensing portion; wherein said scrubbing/scouring portions are affixed on said hand-receiving portion; wherein said soap/detergent-dispensing portion is replaceably affixed on said hand-receiving portion; and wherein said scrubbing/scouring portions are for selectively scrubbing/scouring and said soap/detergent-dispensing portion is for selectively dispensing soap/detergent therefrom so as together allow said multi-function glove to be self-containing.
 2. The glove of claim 1, wherein said hand-receiving portion is for receiving a hand of a user; wherein said hand-receiving portion comprises digit-receiving portions; wherein said hand-receiving portion comprises a palm-engaging portion; wherein said digit-receiving portions of said hand-receiving portion are for receiving the digits of the hand of the user; wherein said digit-receiving portions of said hand-receiving portion have inner-hand-facing surfaces; wherein said palm-engaging portion of said hand-receiving portion is for engaging the palm of the hand of the user; and wherein said palm-engaging portion of said hand-receiving portion has an inner-hand-facing surface.
 3. The glove of claim 2, wherein said scrubbing/scouring portions are affixed on said inner-hand-facing surfaces of said digit-receiving portions of said hand-receiving portion; and wherein said scrubbing/scouring portions are for disposing over the pads of the digits of the hand of the user so as not to interfere with bending of the joints of the digits of the hand of the user.
 4. The glove of claim 2, wherein said soap/detergent-dispensing portion is replaceably affixed on said inner-hand-facing surface of said palm-engaging portion of said hand-receiving portion.
 5. The glove of claim 2, wherein said scrubbing/scouring portions are pieces of hook portions of hook and loop fasteners; and wherein said pieces of hook portions of hook and loop fasteners of said scrubbing/scouring portions are affixed to said inner-hand-facing surfaces of said digit-receiving portions of said hand-receiving portion.
 6. The glove of claim 2, wherein said soap/detergent-dispensing portion is a spongy pocket; wherein said spongy pocket of said soap/detergent-dispensing portion is for selectively dispensing the soap/detergent; and wherein said spongy pocket of said soap/detergent-dispensing portion is formed on one side thereof by a piece of loop portions of said hook and loop fasteners and on the other side thereof by another piece of hook portions of said hook and loop fasteners that are perforated.
 7. The glove of claim 6, wherein said spongy pocket of said soap/detergent-dispensing portion is replaceably affixed to said inner-hand-facing surface of said palm-engaging portion of said hand-receiving portion by still another piece of hook portions of said hook and loop fasteners that is affixed on said inner-hand-facing surface of said palm-engaging portion of said hand-receiving portion and that selectively engages with said piece of loop portions of said hook and loop fasteners of said one side of said spongy pocket of said soap/detergent-dispensing portion.
 8. The glove of claim 7, wherein said still another piece of hook portions of said hook and loop fasteners affixed on said inner-hand-facing surface of said palm-engaging portion of said hand-receiving portion assists said scrubbing/scouring portions when said spongy pocket of said soap/detergent-dispensing portion is removed from said inner-hand-facing surface of said palm-engaging portion of said hand-receiving portion, with said soap/detergent-dispensing portion providing separate scrubbing/scouring.
 9. The glove of claim 7, wherein said another piece of hook portions of said hook and loop fasteners of said other side of said spongy pocket of said soap/detergent-dispensing portion also assists said scrubbing/scouring portions when said spongy pocket of said soap/detergent-dispensing portion is on said inner-hand-facing surface of said palm-engaging portion of said hand-receiving portion.
 10. The glove of claim 1, wherein said hand-receiving portion is made of latex-free rubber.
 11. The glove of claim 1, wherein said scrubbing/scouring portions are oval-shaped for fitting into small openings. 